Why Read Aloud to Your Children?/Inculcating Important Life Skills

"Our children today ingest so much garbage, from television, and other sources, that they need, more than ever, some mental nourishment, some clear thinking, some wisdom, some mental moorings that will help them live up to their values  and see their lives in proper perspective," say the book 3 Steps to a Strong Family. Parents are in the best position to provide a  positive and wholesome influence.

Exposure to complex and well-structured sentences found in books can be a positive tool for teaching a child how to express himself both in speaking and writing. Dorothy  Butler, author of Babies Need Books, says:  "The quality of an individual's  thought will depend upon the quality  of his language. Language, is indeed, in the center of the stage as far as learning and intelligence are concerned."  The ability to  communicate well is the lifeblood of good relationships.

Reading from appropriate books can also reinforce good morals and values. Parents who read and reason with their children can help them to develop problem-solving skills. As Cindy read with her daughter Abigail, she carefully observed Abigail's reaction to situations presented in stories.  "As parents, we can learn more about subtle traits in her  personality and hopefully help her head off improper thinking at a very early stage."  Indeed, reading aloud with children can educated both the mind and the heart.  

Next time: Why Read Aloud to Your Children? Making Reading a Pleasure

From the jw.org publications